Circuit breaker



June '24, 1930. F, w, ROLLER y 1,767,479

f GIRCIT'BREAKER Filed Oct. 12, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 hill ATTORNEYS.

`[une 24, 1930. F. w. ROLLER CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Oct, 12. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TTORNEYS,

Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATESk PATENT OFFICE FRANK W. ROLLER, OF EAS'l` ORANGE, NEW JERSEYQASSIGNOR TO ROLLER-SMIT COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK CIRCUIT IBREAKEB Application led October 12, 1927. Serial No. 225,613.

This invention relates to circuit breakers, and although some features are desirable in circuit breakers for various uses, the invention is particularly applicable to wall circuit breakers and to the formation of control panels for lighting, motors and other circuits of rooms, offices, residences and the like.

One of the main objects of this invention is to provide a switch of the wall type which will be adapted to be easily inserted and removed from a receptacle, which receptacle may be positioned in the wall before the plastering or finishing thereof and provided with terminals to which the Wiring circuits may be permanently connected. After the finishing of the wall, the only remaining step is to insert the circuit breaker mechanism into the box or receptacle and the switch is then ready for use. After installation, this invention has a further advantage that the mechanism may be readily removed for inspection, repair, replacement of parts or for changin adjustments as may be desirable when a di ferent overload current value at which the circuit breaker trips is necessary; and this will always assume a position to indicate that the breaker is open or closed. K

Another important object of this invention is to provide a circuit breaker of the overload type which will be simple and compact in construction and dependable in operation. An improvement of this character obviously makes it unnecessary to use fuses in the 1wiring circuits with the inconvenience of their removal and insertion when blown by overload. Another object of the invention is the provision in this type of circuit breaker, of means whereby the' circuit cannot be closed and held closed by the operation of the circuit breaker handle When an overload or short circuit condition exists and by means of this improvement if a user moves the operating handle to close the circuit breaker, it will be automatically opened `even though the operator ,holds the handle in position to close the breaker. These and other objects of this '.nvention will be understood from the following description and accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof.

Fig. lis a vertical vsectional view of the circuit breaker shown in open position.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the circuit breaker shown in Fig. 1 but in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 4f-4 of Fig. 3. i

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5 'of Fig. 2. y

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing the relation ofthe elements of the circuit breaker when the operating handle element is held in closed position when an overload or short circuit exists.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuits.

The breaker is contained within and protected by a casing of metal or other suitable material which is located in an opening in the wall, this casing being positioned before finishing the wall. The outside casing 1s adapted to receive an insulating box 1 v\"11c h carries the terminals of the wiring and 1s yadapted to removably receivev as a unit the circuit breaker mechanism. The outer portions of thsfour corners of the box 1 are out away, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 to permlt the convenient passing of the lead in wires 2 from openings through the back of the metal container boX and to the terminal screws 3. The incoming wires and terminals are the upper pair, the lower ones being the outgoing termlnals and wires. Each of the upper terminals is at the end ofa metal rod 4 which extends inwardly through supporting and insulating material and each rod 4 has extending downwardly from its inner end a terminal plate 5. The twoplates thus form the fixed contacts of the breaker. From each of the lower terminal screws 3, a contacting rod, similar to rod 4, extends inwardly through the insulating and supporting material, and has a Contact plate 6 secured to its inner end and bent to extend outwardly in an opening 7 at one side thereof. The two Contact plates 6 are adapted to make electrical connection with corresponding Contact plates 8 carried by the insulating support for the circuit breaker mechanism, when the latter is slid into position in the box l.

The box 1, being thus provided with terminals for the wiring and being provided with contacts engaged by the insertion of the switch mechanism, is adapted to be located in position before the wall is finished and have the wiring permanently connected to the box terminals. Thus the wiring and box or receptacle for the switch mechanism 4may be installed, completed and tested at one time.

The support forv the circuit mechanism is shown formed from a piece of sheet metal having a main `plate portion 9 with each upper and lower end bent inwardly and again bent at right angles so as to engage the projecting lips of the metal container box and be removably secured thereto by screws. The plate 9 has secured thereto by screws or other means 10 the L shaped insulating supporting plate 11 for supporting parts of the circuit breaking mechanism to which is secured by the screws 12 the contact tit' plates 8.

The main portionof the supporting plate 9 has two inwardly projecting central wings or legs 13, one at each s1de,between which is pivoted the shaft 14 which is insulated by ushing. 15 of suitable insulating material adapted to rotate with the shaft 14'. Manually operating switch handle element 16 of insulating material is attached to and supported on bushing 15. The outer end of the switch handle element 16 projects through an `elongated opening 17 in the plate 9. To

bias the switch handle-element 16'toward its downward position or open position spiral spring 18 is provided on the bushing 15, one end 19 of which is secured to the switch handle element 16 and the other end 20 bearing on the inner face of the plate 9 as shown in Fig. 5.

j The movable element contacts 21 of the breaker are shown of yieldable form, being preferably made up of curved laminated strips. Each of the contacts 21 is carried by va conducting element 22, 22, each of which is pivotally mounted at its lower end on elements 23 and 24 secured to the insulating part11 with spring elements 25 and 26 tending to bias them toward the plate 9, at opposite sides thereof. The two conducting elements 21 are mechanically connected b an insulating bar or strip 27, as shown in igs. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. The element 23 makes electrical contact with contact 8 through securing screw 28 while element 24 is connected to the corresponding contact 8 by wire 29 passing along the under side of insulating part 11 and secured thereto by screw 30 which is connected to screw 31 by fuse wire 32; screw 32 being connected to element 23 by wire 33.

A U shaped element 34 is mounted on the outer face of the insulating element 27, the element 34 having its two legs projecting outwardly as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6. The L shaped rod 35 extends horizontally through the outer ends of the element 34, being pivotally mounted therein. Aflixed to the rod 35 is an outwardly projecting arm 36 which arm is pivotally connected with one end of a link 37, the other end of this link being pivotally connected to an extending portion 38 of the pivoted switch element 16. The parts 36 and 37 form a locking linkage of collapsible form. When these linkage parts are approximately in line, or have their middle ends slightly beyond a line passing through the axis of the pivots of the outer ends of the parts 36, 37, they are locked in position and cannot move much beyond this position owing to the link 37 havin a tongue 39 which is 'bent over the top of t e arm or link 36 and prevents the linkage from eollapsing on one side ofthe line connecting the pivots to their outer ends, but permits the collapse of the linkage in the o posite direction. In Figs. 1 and 2, the ocking -linkage is shown in a locked position, whereas in Fig. 6, it is shown in collapsed position. A spiral spring 40 encircles the rod 35' and is connected at one end to the arm 36 and at its other end to one leg of the su port 34 and thereby tends to turn the loc ing linkage to locked position. The element 34 is provided with an upwardly directed portion 41 which contacts with inwardly extending stop rod 42 secured to plate 9 serving as a stopping means when the switch is. in an open position as shown in Figs. 1 and 6.

A controlling means for opening the circuit breaker automatically comprises an electromagnet 43 mounted at the rear of insulating plate 11 between the conducting members 22. The lelectromagnet is mounted on an to screw 49 making electrical connection withi 130 the element 24 while lead wire 50 is connected to screw 51 and the contact plate 8.

Mounted to pivot between the extreme ends of extensions 13 is a shaft 52 which carries a lever 53. The lower end of the lever when the circuit breaker is closed normally engages the loop of spring element 54 secured to the insulating plate 11 by screws 55. In this position the U shaped leaf sprin 56 on the 'shaft 52 contacts with the pin 5 of the handle element 16 and is under tension. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 2 the spring 56 is under tension so that if the lower end of the lever 53 is released by the electromagnet 43 by the armature 45 forcing sliding rod 458 downwardly which forces the spring element 54 downwardly, the upper end of the lever Will be thrown to the left as shown in Fig. 6. The rod is bent downwardly at one side of its support 34 forming the downwardly extending arm 59 and is in the path of the pin 60 carried on the upper end of the lever 53. Thus when the lever 53 is automatically released and the spring 56 throws normal current passing through the circuit breaker and the operator holds the handle element 16 in the on position as shown in Fig. 6, the rod 58 will be forced downwardly by the electromagnet forcing the spring element 54 downwardly, the up er end of the lever 53 moving to the left. in 60 carried on the upper end of the lever 53 is thrown outwardly to turn the arm 59 clock-wise as well as vthe rod 35 which results in the arm 36 of the locking linkage 36, 37, being turned clock-wise. This'will cause the collapse of the locking linkage against the action of the spring 40 and thereby cause the automatic opening of the breaker as shown in Fig. 6.

When the operator releases his hold on the handle element "16, the spiral spring 18 will force it downwardly to the off position as shown in Fig. 1. Thus it will be noted that the operator cannot hold the breaker in contact, when an abnormal current or short circuit exists.

The handle element 16 is provided with an adjustable stop 61 limitingthe ofi or closed position thereof. This stop is in the form of an adjustable eccentric or cam securedv by a screw 62 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6. The stop rod 42 and the section 41 gauge the extreme open position of the movable contact point.- l

In operation, the breaker when closed causes the parts lto assume the position shown in Fig. 2, the handle 16 being up. When the breaker is opened manually, thehandle is moved to its down position shown in Fig. 1.

In this movement and when the handle 16 is lowered from the position shown in Fig. 2, vthe inner end ofthe handle element will carry the locking linkage in extended position upwardly and cause its line of action to be carried over the pivot of the handle 16. When this occursv the spring 18 causes the handle 16 to turn and likewise the movable contacting elements of. the breaker, throwing themI to open position as shown in Fig. 1. As regards the autolnatic opening, assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 2, an overload current will cause the electromagnet 43 to draw the armature 45 downwardly vpushing rod 58 against spring` element 54 until the lower end of the lever 53 is released from the spring element 54. The spring 56 then being under tension, will throw the upper end of lever 53 outwardly and cause the pin to engage the arm 59 and turn the same in a clock-wise direction which will shift the locking linkage from the position shown inv Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig.

1 without breaking it, as previously described.

This permits the brush pressure and the springs 18, 25 and 26 to throw the movable contacts of the circuit breaker to open position, as shown in FiO'. 1, the handle element being moved, as preiiiously described, downwardly to indicate that the breaker is off, or in open position. When in this condition, the handle element remains in its lower position, as shown in'F ig. 1. To again close the breaker it is merely necessary to raise the handle to its upper position as shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 2 and the o perator is holding the handle element 16 in this position, an overload or short circuit current will cause the electromagnet 43 to draw the armature 45 downwardly pushing rod 58 against spring element 54, releasing lever 53. Springv 53 being under a slight tension will throw the upper end of lever 53 out-- wardly and cause the' pin 60 to engage the arm 59 and turn-the same in clock-wise di- -rection against the action of spring 40 which will break the locking linkage 36 and 37. This permits the brush pressure andy the springs 25, 26, to .throw the movable contacts of the circuit breaker to open position as shown in Fig. 6. Upon release of the handle element 16, the spring 18 will force itl downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1, the locking linkage'being again straightened out. It will thus be readily seen that the position of the handle element 16 will indicate whether or .not the circuit breaker is open or closed. l n

The plate 9 and parts carried thereby arev adapted tobe readily inserted in the box 1 and to assume a definite position therein when secured in place by the screws 63 and inserts 64 set in the box 1. In order to more definitely position and guide the parts when the mechanism is inserted, the box is provided with undercut projections 65 as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 and the insulating part 1l is adapted to serve as a guide and fit between these projections. This insures the contacts 8 properly sliding into engagement with the contacts 6 and likewise insures that all of the parts will assume their proper position in relation to the box 1 and parts carried thereby.

It is apparent that this improvement fulfills the objects and possesses the advantages already referred to herein and other advantages apparent to one skilled in the art. It will be understood that this invention may be embodied in various forms of constructipn without departing from the scope thereo I claim:

l. A circuit breaker switch comprising a movable switch element, a manually operated element, a locking linkage connecting said manually operated element and said movable switch element.- and means for simultaneously o ening the breaker and changing said i manually operated element to open position upon the occurrence of an overload current without breaking said linkage.

2. A circuit breaker switch comprising a movable switch element, a manually operated element, a locking linkage connecting said manually operated element and said movable switch element, and means for simultaneously opening the breaker and changing said manually operated element to open position upon the occurrence of an overload current without breaking said linkage, said means also being adapted to open said breaker when said manually operated element is held in closed position by the operator.

3. A circuit breaker switch comprising a movable switch element, a manually operated element, a locking linkage connecting said manually operated element and said movable switch element, means for breaking said linkage for causing the opening of the breaker on the occurrence of an overload current when the manually operated element is held in'closed position, and means for returning said .manually operated element to opened position upon release thereof by the operator.

4. A circuit breaker switch comprising a' movable switch element, a manually operated element, a locking linkage connecting said manually operated element and said mova` ble switch element, an electromagnetic 0perated means for breaking said linkage for causing the opening of the breaker on the occurrence of an overload current when the manually operated element is held in closed position, and means for returning said manution and to move said locking linkage across' the pivot of said manually operated element to open the breaker without breaking said linkage upon the occurrence of an overload current.

6. A circuit breaker comprising a reciprocating manually operated element, a movable switch element, a locking linkage connecting said manually operated element and said movable switch element, the line of action of said locking linkage adapted to be carried across the pivot of said manually operated element when said element is moved in each of its two directions, an electromagnet and means controlled by said electroniagnet for moving said manually operated means to open position and to move said locking linkage across the pivot of said manually operated element to open the breaker without breaking said linkage upon the occurrence of an overload current.

7 A circuit breaker com rising a reciprocating manually operated e ement, a movable switch element, a locking linkage connecting said manually operated element and said movable switch element, the line of action of said locking linkage adapted to be carried across .the pivot of said manually operated element when said element is moved in each of its two directions, and means for moving said manually operated means to open position and to move said locking linkage across the pivot of said manually operated element to open the breaker without breaking said linkage upon the occurrence of an overload current, and means for breaking said locking linkage to open the breaker upon the occurrence of an overload current when the said manually operated element is held in closed position.

FRANK W. ROLLER. 

